Mechanised Aces; Turn One, Week One

The Halftracks roll up

 It's chilly December up here in Glasgow, and to try to warm us up, we're starting the engines on half-tracks and armoured cars galore as we launch into a Mechanised Aces campaign. 

 The Mechanised Aces is the only campaign pack not to be entirely supported by Battlefront with accompanying products such as mats and badges, but we will make do with what we have, and the excellently written rule-set by Andrew Haught over in the US. Originally written for Wargames Illustrated (Issue 318), available as a download from flamesofwar.com.

 The Aces campaigns at the club have always been well received, and this one is looking to be no different with eight players showing up on the first night and three games being played. Games will probably become quicker once players are more comfortable with the mechanised rules, many of us only play infantry or tanks based lists, so the rulebook was on hand to keep us right.

Cuthbert's Airlanding Pushes Cameron's Pumas Back

A line of Tetrarchs spring the attack on some unwary 222's

 It was a victory for the Airlanding Armoured Recce Squadron of David and his Tetrarchs. He came up against Iain's Panzerspah Kompanie, The battle was swift and free-flowing, with Tetrarchs and 250s zipping around the little village set up as the focal point of the battle.



 Alas for Iain the end of the game had many Pumas and 250s smouldering as wreckages while only a few Tetrarchs had bitten the bullet.

 A victory for the Allies in Game 1

Byrne's Armoured Spearhead Blunted By Stiff German Opposition

 Michael, our newest FoW player at the club faced off against Gordon, whom I wouldn't call a veteran, but has been an active part of every Aces Campaign and a regular player.

That lelG18 is a PaK38, honest!

 The advance started well for Michael's Armoured Rifles as they peppered an unlucky platoon of PaK 38's with withering fire, enough to clear them from the field. The bright start though couldn't be capitalised upon, even when one of Gordon's 251/9's refused to unbog within a forest, and soon the Americans found their half-tracks picked off by well-placed shooting from the Germans,

 The game was decided after an eleventh hour assault by Michael was put down by amazing defensive fire from some 251's. The Americans almost being wiped out by the stubborn defence.

A victory for the Axis in Game 2

No Score Draw In The Fields Of Italy

 Old rivals Brian and Robert rounded off the games, both fielding respective Armoured Infantry Companies.

 This game was fought to a stalemate, and sadly I didn't manage to get a picture of the action. But, I will for next time.

A draw in Game 3